Human Physiology Quizzes: Test Your Knowledge of Body Functions

Question 1

Which hormone directly increases blood calcium levels by stimulating the release of calcium from bone?

Accepted Answer

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Answer

Calcitonin

Answer

Thyroid hormone

Answer

Insulin

Question 2

Which hormone is responsible for lowering blood glucose levels?

Accepted Answer

Insulin

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Glucagon

Answer

Somatotropin

Question 3

Where are the majority of the human body's immune cells produced?

Accepted Answer

Bone marrow

Answer

Spleen

Answer

Thymus

Answer

Lymph nodes

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a function of the endocrine system?

Accepted Answer

Communicate via neural signals

Answer

Regulate metabolism

Answer

Control growth and development

Answer

Maintain homeostasis

Question 5

Which of the following is a type of innate immune response?

Accepted Answer

Phagocytosis

Answer

Antibody-mediated immunity

Answer

Cell-mediated immunity

Answer

Humoral immunity

Question 6

What is the name of the hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells?

Accepted Answer

Erythropoietin

Answer

Insulin

Answer

Glucagon

Answer

Somatotropin

Question 7

What is the role of the complement system in the immune response?

Accepted Answer

Recruits and activates other immune cells

Answer

Directly kills pathogens

Answer

Produces antibodies

Answer

Regulates inflammation

Question 8

Which neurotransmitter is responsible for primarily inhibiting neuronal activity in the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

GABA

Answer

Glutamate

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 9

Which of the following immune cells is responsible for engulfing and destroying foreign particles?

Accepted Answer

Macrophages

Answer

T cells

Answer

B cells

Answer

Neutrophils

Question 10

What is the primary function of the medulla oblongata in the brainstem?

Accepted Answer

Regulates vital functions such as breathing and heart rate

Answer

Controls voluntary movement

Answer

Processes sensory information

Answer

Produces hormones

Question 11

Differentiate between an antigen and an antibody. Which one triggers an immune response, and which one binds to the trigger?

Accepted Answer

An antigen is a foreign substance that triggers an immune response, while an antibody is a protein that binds to the antigen.

Answer

An antigen is a pathogen, while an antibody is a type of white blood cell.

Answer

An antigen is produced by the immune system, while an antibody is a component of the pathogen.

Answer

An antigen is a protein, while an antibody is a carbohydrate.

Question 12

Which hormone plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels?

Accepted Answer

Insulin

Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Thyroid hormone

Answer

Epinephrine

Question 13

What is the term for the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes?

Accepted Answer

Homeostasis

Answer

Metabolism

Answer

Regulation

Answer

Adaptation

Question 14

Which brain region is responsible for processing and interpreting visual information?

Accepted Answer

Cerebrum

Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Thalamus

Answer

Hypothalamus

Question 15

What is the primary function of the lymphatic system?

Accepted Answer

Drains excess fluid from tissues and returns it to the bloodstream

Answer

Filters blood and removes waste products

Answer

Produces white blood cells

Answer

Transports oxygen and nutrients

Question 16

Identify the function that is NOT carried out by the immune system.

Accepted Answer

Regulating body temperature

Answer

Protecting against infections

Answer

Maintaining homeostasis

Answer

Recognizing and destroying abnormal cells

Question 17

In the adaptive immune response, which of the following most accurately describes the primary function of antigen-presenting cells (APCs)?

Accepted Answer

APCs engulf and process antigens, presenting them to T cells, which then activates the adaptive immune response.

Answer

APCs directly eliminate pathogens through the release of cytotoxic substances.

Answer

APCs produce cytokines that serve as chemical messengers, attracting other immune cells to the site of infection.

Answer

APCs generate antibodies that neutralize and eliminate pathogens.

Question 18

What is feedback inhibition?

Accepted Answer

The end product of a pathway inhibits the initial steps of the same pathway.

Answer

An external signal inhibits a pathway.

Answer

The initial steps of a pathway inhibit the end product.

Answer

An unrelated pathway inhibits a pathway.

Question 19

How do the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and antidiuretic hormone regulate blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system narrows blood vessels, while antidiuretic hormone increases water retention, both of which raise blood pressure.

Answer

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system raises blood pressure by increasing water retention.

Answer

Antidiuretic hormone raises blood pressure by narrowing blood vessels.

Question 20

How does the immune system distinguish between the body's own cells and foreign entities, preventing autoimmune reactions?

Accepted Answer

MHC molecules and self-tolerance

Answer

Antibodies and phagocytes

Answer

Inflammatory response and fever

Question 21

Which of the following describes how the nervous system initiates skeletal muscle contraction?

Accepted Answer

Motor neurons release acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, triggering muscle contraction.

Answer

Sensory neurons directly transmit signals to muscle fibers to initiate contraction.

Answer

The brain sends electrical signals directly to muscle fibers, bypassing motor neurons.

Answer

Hormones released by the endocrine system directly stimulate muscle contraction.

Question 22

What is the lymphatic system's main function in regulating fluid balance?

Accepted Answer

Returning excess fluid and waste to the bloodstream

Answer

Filtering bacteria and aiding immune responses

Answer

Absorbing nutrients from digestion

Answer

Producing red blood cells and platelets

Question 23

Which hormone is responsible for controlling blood sugar levels?

Accepted Answer

Insulin

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Thyroid hormone

Answer

Growth hormone

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT a component of the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Liver

Answer

Brain

Answer

Spinal cord

Answer

Nerves

Question 25

Which hormone plays a crucial role in regulating blood glucose levels?

Accepted Answer

Insulin

Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Thyroid hormone

Answer

Estrogen

Question 26

What is the primary function of the immune system?

Accepted Answer

Defend the body against pathogens

Answer

Transport nutrients

Answer

Regulate body temperature

Question 27

Which part of the neuron carries signals away from the cell body?

Accepted Answer

Axon

Answer

Synapse

Answer

Dendrite

Answer

Myelin sheath

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a function of the kidneys?

Accepted Answer

Produce bile

Answer

Produce urine

Answer

Filter blood

Answer

Regulate blood pressure

Question 29

Which hormone stimulates milk production in lactating mothers?

Accepted Answer

Prolactin

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Adrenaline

Answer

Testosterone

Question 30

Which type of transport does NOT require energy expenditure?

Accepted Answer

Diffusion

Answer

Active transport

Answer

Endocytosis

Answer

Exocytosis

Question 31

What is the main function of the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body

Answer

Stores genetic information

Answer

Produces hormones

Answer

Filters blood

Question 32

Which hormone is primarily responsible for regulating blood glucose levels, maintaining homeostasis in the body?

Accepted Answer

Insulin

Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Testosterone

Answer

Estrogen

Question 33

Which part of the brain is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements, processing sensory information, and higher-level cognitive functions?

Accepted Answer

Cerebrum

Answer

Brainstem

Answer

Spinal cord

Answer

Cerebellum

Question 34

Which type of transport does not require energy and allows molecules to move from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration across a selectively permeable membrane?

Accepted Answer

Diffusion

Answer

Active transport

Answer

Endocytosis

Answer

Exocytosis

Question 35

Which primary function of the respiratory system is the exchange of gases between the blood and the external environment?

Accepted Answer

Gas exchange

Answer

Nutrient absorption

Answer

Waste elimination

Question 36

Which neurotransmitter is strongly associated with feelings of pleasure, reward, and motivation?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

GABA

Answer

Glutamate

Answer

Serotonin

Question 37

Which characteristic distinguishes skeletal muscle from other muscle types, enabling conscious control of voluntary movements?

Accepted Answer

Voluntary control

Answer

Found in internal organs

Answer

Rapid contraction

Answer

Involuntary control

Question 38

Which hormone, produced by the adrenal glands, is released in response to stress and triggers the body's 'fight-or-flight' response?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Insulin

Answer

Thyroid hormone

Answer

Growth hormone

Question 39

Which key function of the digestive system involves breaking down food into absorbable nutrients, providing energy and essential substances for the body?

Accepted Answer

Nutrient absorption

Answer

Waste elimination

Answer

Gas exchange

Answer

Hormone production

Question 40

Which neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for facilitating memory formation and retrieval?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

GABA

Question 41

Identify the hormone that plays a primary role in regulating glucose homeostasis:

Accepted Answer

Insulin

Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Glucagon

Answer

Epinephrine

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the immune system?

Accepted Answer

Waste management

Answer

Protecting the body against foreign pathogens

Answer

Fighting infections

Answer

Maintaining homeostasis

Question 43

Identify the process that converts nutrients from food into energy for cellular use:

Accepted Answer

Metabolism

Answer

Excretion

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Circulation

Question 44

Which organ is responsible for producing the majority of blood cells?

Accepted Answer

Bone marrow

Answer

Thymus

Answer

Liver

Answer

Spleen

Question 45

Identify the organ system responsible for the exchange of gases between the body and the external environment:

Accepted Answer

Respiratory system

Answer

Circulatory system

Answer

Nervous system

Answer

Digestive system

Question 46

Identify the division of the nervous system that regulates involuntary functions:

Accepted Answer

Autonomic nervous system

Answer

Somatic nervous system

Answer

Central nervous system

Answer

Peripheral nervous system

Question 47

Which type of immune cell is responsible for engulfing and destroying pathogens?

Accepted Answer

Phagocyte

Answer

Natural killer cell

Answer

Antigen-presenting cell

Answer

Lymphocyte

Question 48

Identify the hormone that stimulates the production of milk in mammary glands:

Accepted Answer

Prolactin

Answer

Testosterone

Answer

Estrogen

Answer

Insulin

Question 49

A patient presents with excessive thirst, frequent urination, and high blood glucose levels. Which hormone deficiency is most likely causing these symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Insulin

Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Glucagon

Answer

Thyroxine

Question 50

What is the primary function of the myelin sheath in the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Speed up nerve impulse transmission

Answer

Provide structural support to neurons

Answer

Regulate the flow of ions across the neuron membrane

Answer

Synthesize neurotransmitters

Question 51

During intense physical activity, muscle fatigue occurs due to the buildup of which byproduct?

Accepted Answer

Lactic acid

Answer

Creatine phosphate

Answer

Carbon dioxide

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 52

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of the adaptive immune response?

Accepted Answer

Specificity for particular antigens

Answer

Present from birth

Answer

Uses physical barriers to prevent infection

Answer

Rapid response to initial exposure

Question 53

Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for regulating heart rate and breathing?

Accepted Answer

Medulla oblongata

Answer

Thalamus

Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Hypothalamus

Question 54

What is the primary function of erythrocytes (red blood cells) in the human body?

Accepted Answer

Transport oxygen to tissues

Answer

Fight infection

Answer

Clot blood

Answer

Transport nutrients

Question 55

Which digestive enzyme breaks down proteins in the stomach?

Accepted Answer

Pepsin

Answer

Amylase

Answer

Lipase

Answer

Trypsin

Question 56

What is the primary function of nephrons in the kidneys?

Accepted Answer

Filter blood and produce urine

Answer

Store urine

Answer

Produce hormones

Answer

Regulate blood pressure

Question 57

During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and moves:

Accepted Answer

Downwards

Answer

Upwards

Answer

Remains stationary

Answer

Laterally

Question 58

Which type of cell is responsible for producing antibodies?

Accepted Answer

B lymphocytes

Answer

T lymphocytes

Answer

Macrophages

Answer

Neutrophils